Camping at Starved Rock State Park IL: August 2013

Back in August we got the camping bug. The kids and I had given Taber a 10 man tent for Father's day and he was dying to break it in. We decided to take it for it's maiden campout at Starved Rock State Park, about an hour and half from where we live. 

We decided last minute, as usual, so there were no camping spaces available except for 2 walk in spots that were first come first serve.  It was a huge gamble, but we decided to pack up everyone and everything anyway and cross our fingers we'd get a spot. The gamble paid off and we snagged the very last spot open that weekend. Boomshaklaka!! (If we hadn't gotten a spot we still would've camped out on the side of the road because I  put way too much work into packing to drive back!)

The kids were so excited they were literally bouncing off the walls.

The first night we just set up camp, ate dinner then made S'Mores by the fire. 

We tried to put Cam in his Pack and play but he wasn't having it. He missed his white noise machine and his crib. We didn't get much sleep that night but who really sleeps when they're camping anyway, right?;)

They still woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed

Daddy made a hearty camper's breakfast of pancakes and eggs, then it was off for some hiking!

The trails and hikes at Starved Rock are BEAUTIFUL! I didn't realize Illinois had such pretty scenery. The kids loved it!

View from one of the lookouts

When Cam got tired he rode in the backpack, which is like his favorite mode of transportation, even though he probably exceeds the weight limit because he's HUGE!

We hiked all morning but then Mommy and Cam were wiped out so Daddy and the girls dropped us off for a nap and went on exploring.

They hiked their little tails off and saw so many beautiful things!

Lots of gorgeous rock formations, canyons and caves to explore

Brinley was especially excited about the giant centipedes she found. She loves buggies!

 That night Uncle Kevin and Brooklyn joined us! (Naomi and Lily were in Utah) The girls were so happy to have Brooklyn there!

Cam didn't want to sleep in the pack and play the 2nd night so we let him sleep on Teya's sleeping bag. he actually did pretty good and slept there half the night. 

In the middle of the night he got cold so he crawled in the blow up bed with Mom and Dad. He has never cuddled us or slept with us like that so even though his huge head was cutting off the blood circulation in my arm, I totally let him sleep there because it was soooo cute! (Taber took this picture after we were both passed out, and even though it's not super flattering, I just love seeing me and my little snuggle bug ;)

 Meanwhile Kevin decided to go all Bear Grylls and sleep outside in the open with the raccoons. Pretty sure he didn't sleep much with those guys constantly on the prowl right by his head!

The next day it was off for more adventures!

 So many great hikes and trails to explore!

 The trials were very well groomed and the hikes all had stairs so it made it very doable for the kids.

 My cute little rangers 

 And the Cam man 

 Cave people

 The girls and uncle Kev

 Awesomeness!

It was a great and very full day of hiking and exploring. We ended with some yummy fudge, homemade ice cream and cinnamon almonds from the gift shop then said goodbye to Kevin and Brooklyn and made our way back home. Loved Starved Rock and will definitely be making that a yearly tradition!

Indianapolis Mini-Marathon Running Get-Away: May 4, 2013

What is more romantic than a weekend getaway, exploring a new city whilst running 13.1 miles? 

I'm telling you, that is where it's at. 

On May 3rd we left the kiddos with my sister Naomi and drove 4 hours out to Indianapolis for the 500 festival mini marathon.

It is the largest half marathon in the US, with more than 35,000 runners. The expo was amazing and so well organized. It had all the feel of a full marathon, without actually having to run a full marathon.

After picking up our bibs, checking out the expo and carbo loading we headed back to our hotel for some sleep.

 The starting line is surrounded by hotels so it was the most convenient thing ever to wake up, eat breakfast, go to the bathroom in a real toilet (not a port-a-potty), and then walk right out to our starting corral. I loved it!

 Me and my bearded man at the starting line. This race was just a few weeks after the bombings at the Boston marathon so they had a lot of extra security measures, no backpacks allowed and a strong presence of police officers. Before the race started they had a moment of silence for the Boston victims and then they blasted "Sweet Caroline" in honor of Bean town and everyone sang along. It was pretty awesome. 

The course was great. Over 80 entertainment acts along the way made it so I didn't even need my head phones. One of the coolest parts was that we got to run on the Indianapolis Motor speedway for miles 6-9. Totally awesome!

 Taber taking a running seflie on the track. It was really cool running there.

 Since it was May 4th, there were plenty of Star Wars fans proudly celebrating (May the 4th be with you) with signs and even this funny little yoda backpack. Totally had to take a pic. 

 I didn't train well for this race and clocked my slowest half marathon yet at 2:01:06. But I had a ton of fun and just really enjoyed the ride. 

Taber finished in 1:48:29 like a champ. I was proud of my runner boy.

 Afterwards we celebrated with big fat juicy burgers, cause that's how we roll.

It was an awesome weekend and always fun to have some time away with my man. :)

Uda's in Chicago: Photo shoot, Pedicures and Singing in Church

 Since so many of the Uda kids were together in one place, and since Chris and Pae were on a rare visit to the States, we decided to have a photographer come and take some family pics. I don't have the big files (I think Naomi has them on CD) but here are some of the proofs.

 It was really windy, but I think this one still came out cute. 

 We moved to our entryway to avoid the wind and I love the pics we got there.

 Chris and the Uda girls

Pae and her Uda sistas! (she totally blends right in :)

And we snuck in a few shots of the Rigg fam

Cam looks like such beef cake in this one.

Later in the week we took the little girls out for Pedicures since they didn't get to come with us to the City.

 Chicago Cousins!

 Gettin' fancy

The pampered life

Cute little tootsies

 Before we left to church on Sunday Chris and Pae got out a map to show the girls where they lived. The girls were amazed and sad to see how far away they really were. I think it helped them appreciate how special it was to have them here.

The highlight of Church was being able to sing in sacrament meeting with my sisters. Singing with them always takes me to my happy place.

 Outside church with my sisters

 And the icing on the cake was having my Dad there to hear us! He was on an extended layover so he got to spend Saturday and half of Sunday with us before he had to go home. I love my family and am so grateful I got to have them here for such an awesome visit!

Uda's in Chicago: A Day in the City!

One of the coolest things we did while my family was in town back in April was hit up Downtown Chicago for a little sight seeing. 

The big thing on the agenda was check out the Navy Pier and catch an architectural boat tour of the city

Rachel, Liz, Dad, Sarah and Manti at Navy Pier Park

The whole crew about to get on our boat, the Sea Dog. 

And I totally bought this ridiculously expensive photo because it was a rare pic with all of us in it and everyone looked good so yeah, had to do it!

The boat tour was really cool. It was about 90 minutes long and you got to hear some really cool facts about the architecture and buildings downtown. Our tour guide was a little...interesting, and definitely had some TMI moments but it was fun and I'd do it again.

After our boat tour we walked several blocks down to Millennial park to check out the famous Bean statue.

 The Bean is cool, and we took lots of pics.

 Also practiced a little "Vadering" while we were there. 

 Don't mess with the dark side!

Cool shot underneath the bean with my man

 Naomi and my adorable sister in law Pae.

 Group shot at millenial park

 And one of Chris and all the Uda sisters. 

It was an awesome day and especially awesome having Chris and Pae here all the way from Thailand. It was the first time I'd met my sister in law and the first time I'd seen Chris in 7 years so we were pretty happy to have them here.